And it's not on the Boardwalk

With permission, we are re-posting information that is currently posted on the Gulen Charterschools website; a website that carries an extensive menu of information on the “Gulen-inspired” schools.

In particular, the following series of articles are about the Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology in New Jersey. As noted by the website author, the articles are not readily available and had to be “dug” out of the journalism trenches of archived secrets.

Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology, New Jersey:Troubles evident in 2007 news articles

In 2007, Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology was the subject of a series of local newspaper articles, appearing in the Herald News of West Paterson, NJ. The articles are noteworthy because many of the concerns such as hiring of teachers without credentials, discrimination against non-Gulenist teachers, high teacher attrition, and the school paying immigration fees for Gulenist teachers, are identical to concerns raised at a number of other publicly-funded Gulen charter schools around the country. Because these articles are no longer freely accessible online, we are displaying three of them here. Note how, in response to the school's troubles, Emrah Ayhan was brought in from Ohio; there is more information about him on this page.Herald News (West Paterson, NJ) May 19, 2007City charter school's future now in doubt: Staffing issues, state probation are key to plight Author: DANIELLE SHAPIRO, Herald NewsPATERSON – A four-year-old charter school on shaky ground for five months and under state investigation will meet with parents to tell them whether the school will remain open and why some teachers have recently been let go. The Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology has set four meeting times for parents today at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the school. Several school officials will be on hand to answer questions about the school's probation from the state Department of Education and to explain why contracts for some teachers were not renewed. Staffing changes at the school have upset many students and some parents, who don't want to see the school, which serves grades six through 10, closed. "I don't think it's fair (that) all our teachers are leaving," said Kendashia Myles, 12, a seventh-grader, "because we made a bond with them." She called her school "great" and the teachers helpful. The school, which opened in 2003, was placed on a 90-day probation by the state Department of Education in December because of hiring and administrative deficiencies. The probation put the school's charter renewal in jeopardy. The renewal would be for five years. The DOE's office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance visited the school this week at the request of the Charter School office, said Rich Vespucci, a department spokesman. They are conducting an investigation, though he did not specify what it concerns and offered no further comment. He would not say whether it was related to the probation. Though the state was supposed to decide on renewing the school's charter in March, the department's Charter School office agreed to extend the deadline until June 30, Vespucci said. Throughout the academic year, 15 teachers have been terminated or did not have their contracts renewed for various reasons, school officials said. Departing teachers include some whose pending applications for teacher certifications were denied by the state, one who did not have a valid Social Security number and one who allegedly showed students pornographic images from his cell phone, said John Toklu, vice president of the school's board of trustees. "Right now, since we are under watch, we want to make sure every position in the school is filled with the right people," he said. "We don't want to take the risk. I know people are upset, but these are the right decisions we have to make." A group of students, estimated from 20 to 80, staged a protest Tuesday morning by standing outside the school on Wabash Avenue and refusing to go to class. Friday afternoon, several students said too many minority teachers are being let go. But Frank Kosar, the lead school administrator, said decisions were not made because of race or gender. Some temporary teachers who are certified but whose contracts were not renewed have been encouraged to reapply this summer. Toklu said there hasn't been enough time to observe them in class. Two security guards and one library aide also did not have their contracts renewed, Toklu said. Some other staff positions were changed. Some parents and students wanted to know why the school hired people without the correct credentials in the first place. "It's not fair," said Valkeita Howell, 16, a sophomore. "It's not considerate to the teachers. The school is not organized well." But she didn't want to see her school closed, saying small class sizes help students learn. Toklu said that hiring teachers whose certifications are pending would not happen again. After the probation notice in December, the state required the school to submit a corrective action plan by January 13, which has been implemented. Charter schools were established under a 1996 New Jersey law meant to increase public school choice and establish school reform, according to the DOE. Though the schools are public, they operate independently of the local school district. When charter schools are approved by the DOE, they are given a four-year term. Charter renewals run for five years. The Paterson charter school, converted from a factory in 2005, has 411 students and 53 total staff, 28 of whom are teachers, school officials said. The Paterson school district, by contrast, has 52 schools, many in aged and overcrowded buildings. Kosar, the principal, said he has sent e-mails and letters and made telephone calls to tell parents about today's meeting. Aldith Spencer, whose son is a sophomore there, feels the school provides an excellent education for children because of the rules and uniforms the children are required to wear. She said it creates discipline. But she was dismayed with the school's management. "We don't want the school to close down," she said. "We just want it to run properly." *** Reach Danielle Shapiro at (973) 569-7153 or shapiro@northjersey.com. *** Caption:2 Photos by Michael Karas / Herald News;1 - Students from the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology gather on Friday while others board buses. Recent staff changes have upset students and parents alike.2 - Frank Kosar, below, is the school's lead administrator.Copyright, 2007, Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)August 3, 2007Charter school given reprieve: Probation extended for testing new staff Author: HEATHER HADDON, Herald NewsPATERSON — The state's announcement Thursday that it will give 90 more days' probation to the beleaguered Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology was a victory or defeat, depending on whom you asked. For school administration, it signified that the state is allowing them time to test newly retained staff and consultants before making a final decision on whether to renew their charter for five years. For many parents and students, it was the last straw. "They cannot continue to play these games," said Saideh Page Brown, 36, a Passaic parent. The state Department of Education will give the school until Oct. 30 to further tweak a remedial action plan submitted to the state in July, according to an Aug. 1 letter written by Commissioner Lucille E. Davy to the school's board president. Davy faulted the school for not hiring enough teachers to cover all subject areas, or demonstrating ways it will ensure students meet state academic standards. Davy also requested an explanation of the school's high teacher attrition rate. Of the school's 56 teachers, half will debut in the fall, Davy said. The state would not comment specifically on why it extended the school's probation — which began in December and has now stretched to eight months through three extensions. "We are very aware of the issues," said Jon Zlock, a state spokesman, in an e-mailed statement. "We will be following up with them with ongoing monitoring." State statute does not specify how long a charter school can be on probation. A school in jeopardy of losing its charter must provide a list of parents and staff within 48 hours to the state, who would then contact them about other schools they could attend. Zlock said it was too soon to discuss a possible closure, and that each scenario is unique to the school. But come November, the school's fate will once again hang in the balance — this time, just as the school's first marking period winds up. Davy's letter implied that the latest extension hinged on the school's move to hire education consultants. The school recently decided to hire two consultants: the Educational Information & Resource Center, a New Jersey-based agency that develops programming; and Strauss Esmay Associates, a firm in Toms River that consults on school policies. Philip Nicastro, of Strauss Esmay, said he visited the charter school in the spring and was impressed by what he saw. "They saw a need and made a commitment to resolve it," said Nicastro, whose firm consults with some 300 districts annually. Last school year, school officials let go several teachers for failing to have proper certification. They neglected to use a school lottery system to admit students in at least two cases, according to a state investigation. The school showed racial favoritism in its hiring, the report found. "We put all our trust in them, and we were let down," said Joel Ahumada, 16, a Paterson student. School board members, however, said they are on a path to create a stronger school. In addition to retaining the consultants, administrators screened every new hire for a teacher's certificate, according to board member Charles Nelson. The school also hired two new administrators. Emrah Ayhan, an Ohio administrator with experience in charter schools, will act as the new "lead person," or principal. Donald Merachnik, a former superintendent from Union County, was appointed as the instructional supervisor, according to Nelson. Nelson said the school was only now able to recruit more experienced staff because their student population has grown, translating into more state funds. The school has added a new grade annually since it was founded in 2003 with a sixth grade. John Toklu, the board president, said that the state's letter was more encouraging than previous correspondence. "My opinion is that the school will get its renewal eventually," he said. Many parents, students and teachers don't want to wait. David Petriello, a teacher since the school opened, said only seven of the 40 teachers from last year are returning in the fall. He is also looking for other options. Roberta Espinal, a Paterson parent, decided to come up with the $7,000 it will cost her to send her son to Paramus Catholic. Page-Brown's son will attend Passaic High School. Ahumada isn't sure what to do, but he doesn't want to have to start over if the charter school is disbanded mid-year. *** Caption:PHOTO - FILE PHOTO - John Toklu, center, board president at the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology, conducts a meeting on July 11 regarding the renewal of employee contracts. Toklu said Thursday he was encouraged by the state's latest action.Copyright, 2007, Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)September 25, 2007School charts a comebackAuthor: DANIELLE SHAPIRO, Herald NewsArticle Text:PATERSON — Although the future of the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology remains in doubt as its state-imposed probation continues until at least late October, few administrators, teachers or students seem too concerned that the state may not grant the Wabash Avenue school its charter for another five years. Gisselotte Ventura, 16, a junior and vocal critic of the school last year, said she's not worried. "The change is drastic from last year," Ventura said during gym class Monday morning. "The fact that everything is on point. They seem to have a purpose to get us ahead, to improve the education. Last year it didn't seem like we had any hope. Now we have more than hope." Sevinc Gorucu, 15, a sophomore, was likewise optimistic: "I think we'll be one of the top schools," she predicted. With an influx of new teachers (more than half of the school's 43 teachers are new), a new administrative team, plans to improve student achievement by providing more support and training for teachers plus efforts to improve communication with parents and staff, the charter school is trying to get off to a fresh, more structured, start. And though some returning staff members described their optimism as "cautious," they agreed that the 2007-08 academic year has started well. Emrah Ayhan, the school's former high school vice principal and new "lead person," was appointed in July to head the school. His arrival came on the heels of a tumultuous year during which the state Education Department placed the school on probation three times for hiring and administrative deficiencies. The school, which started in 2003, also was investigated by the state and cited for several problems, including staff certification issues, possible ghost employees, tenure violations, improper payments of immigration fees for some employees and apparent favoritism for Turkish staff members. Many members of the school's board of trustees and some top administrators are Turkish. But Ayhan said being on probation has not been an entirely bad experience. "It's good to be under scrutiny to make sure we're running properly," he said. "That's how we'll get our respect back." This year, Ayhan is working alongside what he calls his two-man "brain team": longtime educators Donald Merachnik, a former schools superintendent in the West Essex Regional School District and now the director of instruction responsible for evaluating and observing teachers; and Salvatore Anzaldi, who worked for 39 years in the Clifton school district, serving last as School 12 principal. He is now the charter school's dean of students overseeing an enrollment of 485 sixth- through 11th-graders. Merachnik, who has well over 30 years of experience in several school districts, including a stint as assistant superintendent in Paterson, said the school is on the right path and that a challenging curriculum and expert teaching are key. Anzaldi brings structure and organization to the school, he said. Aldith Spencer, another former critic who has two children at the school, voiced confidence in the school's administration: "I'm not even asking if the state will keep us open. I'm 100 percent sure we'll stay open." Ayhan has established monthly breakfast meetings with parents, a dedicated cell phone line on which they can call him, and a parent newsletter. Other goals include improving state test scores, helping juniors matriculate to college, starting a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and possibly partnering with Passaic County Community College so high school students can take college courses and college professors can teach at the school. Several students said they have noticed the changes. "It's gotten off to a great start because we can understand our teachers better," said Wayne McFarland, 13, an eighth-grader. "Last year they didn't explain much." Carole Katz, a tenured history and business teacher who has been at the school since its start and serves as a non-voting member on the board, said she's seen some clear improvements since last year. Though she said the administration must be "doing something right," it's early in the year, and she is still undecided about the school's leadership. But she is excited at the possibilities for this year. "Cautiously optimistic, but very optimistic," Katz said of her attitude. "I have high expectations." *** Reach Danielle Shapiro at 973-569-7153 or shapiro@northjersey.com. *** Caption:2 PHOTOS - Amy Newman / Herald News;1 - Emrah Ayhan, the new head of the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology, said the school, on probation, is trying to regain respect.2 - Susan Nowicki team teaches 11th-grade math with Olcay Yavuz at the Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology. Faculty, staff and students are voicing optimism that changes at the school since last year will allow it to convince state regulators to keep it open.Copyright, 2007, Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)